Feline Hyperthyroidism Natural Treatment: Is it Effective?
If your cat is exhibiting symptoms of feline hyperthyroidism, you may be curious about treatment options. There are several ways to treat feline hyperthyroidism, but not all are equally effective and convenient for both you and your cat.
Feline hyperthyroidism natural treatment options are often considered by pet owners. Some of these treatments include switching your cat to a raw food diet, giving them special vitamins and supplements, and/or switching to special natural pet foods. This may be attractive to many pet owners – who wouldn’t want to address a potentially fatal disorder by simply switching cat food brands? – but the truth is, most natural treatments for hyperthyroidism in cats are not considered effective by veterinarians. Many of these natural options have not had their claims tested. Some may even be harmful to your cat. In fact, by not addressing feline hyperthyroidism head on and with radioactive iodine therapy, you could be doing more harm than good.
Established, conventional methods for treating feline hyperthyroidism symptoms have a proven record of success. Some even have minimal side effects. Some of these methods include:
- Daily medication, which usually requires giving your cat a pill 1-3 times daily. This does not cure feline hyperthyroidism, but can treat symptoms effectively. However, this treatment requires frequent follow up blood tests, not to mention the stress you and your cat must endure to administer the medication. The medication can be harmful to some cats.
- Surgery, which can be effective but is very risky as cats that have feline hyperthyroidism are in poor health and may not survive the procedure. Surgery is also expensive and the cat will still require lifelong hormone therapy following the procedure. Surgery also requires an experienced surgeon, which could mean a long trip for you and your cat.
- Radioactive Iodine Therapy is considered the best option for treating feline hyperthyroidism by many veterinarians. The treatment involves a single shot followed by few days of monitoring by a veterinary professional. In most cases, only one treatment is needed to cure feline hyperthyroidism. Cats also rarely experience any side effects from radioiodine therapy.
Feline hyperthyroidism is difficult for cat owners and their pets alike. It can be fatal if not treated. However, if treated quickly and effectively with radioiodine therapy, cats can make a full recovery. If your cat is experiencing symptoms of feline hyperthyroidism, contact your veterinarian immediately and ask them about radioiodine therapy.
Learn more about treatment options for your cat's hyperthyroidism: Feline Hyperthyroidism Treatment Options.